The Girl Who Threw Butterflies (audio)

The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane. 2009.
Audience: Grades 5th-9th. Ages 10+.

My Rating: 4.5*s of 5
Summary: Eighth-grader Molly's ability to throw a knuckleball earns her a spot on the baseball team, which not only helps her feel connected to her recently deceased father, who loved baseball, it helps in other aspects of her life, as well.
Comments: A wonderfully written book--so much so that even this monotonous narrator (Maria Cabezas) can't ruin it. Captivating, real character development, well balanced, and subtly yet satisfyingly ended. A story as delicate and interesting as the butterfly pitches Molly throws. Impossible to resist the urge to play catch after reading this one!

Awards:
Read-alikes: Zen and the Art of Faking it by Sonnenblick, Dairy Queen by Murdock

Zen and the Art of Faking It (audio)

Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick. 2007.
Audience: Grades 6th-8th. Ages 12+

My Rating: 2.5*s of 5
Summary: When thirteen-year-old San Lee moves to a new town and school for the umpteenth time, he is looking for a way to stand out. His knowledge of Zen Buddhism provides the answer--and the need to quickly become a convincing Zen master.

Comments: One of those palm to forehead books where the protagonist is always missing the obvious. The story fell a bit short for me, mostly because of some awkward language ("Yikes!") and predictable plot devices. Woody is a great character--in fact I found her more interesting than San by a long shot (I mean, 3-Pointer).
Awards: YALSA Amazing Audio list 2010.
Read-alikes: